Tuesday 15th November 2005

M-way speeds to be cut?

Secret proposal for strict 70mph regime

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70mph to be stricly enforced?

Speed limits could be more heavily enforced on motorways in future, if the Government's plans come to fruition. The aim is sid to be to help Britain achieve its manifesto commitment to cut carbon-based emissions by 20 per cent by 2010. However, reactions are likely to be negative, given the experience of cash cow speed cameras.

The proposal is just one of many new measures that are outlined in a confidential review of the Government's climate change policies which was obtained by The Guardian newspaper.

How would it help? According to the document, stricter enforcement of the 70mph limit would save 890,000 tons of carbon a year, claimed to save more than the obligation to mix renewable biofuels into petrol for vehicles, which was announced last week, and other measures combined.

The motorway speed limit proposal and other potential measures, including the implementation of double summertime, are aimed at saving an extra 11m-14m tons of carbon pollution each year. Other potential ways of cutting pollution mentioned in the document including increasing electricity generation from offshore wind turbines and combined heat and power systems, stricter enforcement of building regulations and linking winter fuel payments for pensioners to energy efficiency measures.

Reactions included the AA Motoring Trust, which said that it would take a big political leap to win hearts and minds, and that the Government would struggle to convince people that the aim was about cutting pollution rather than raising revenue.

• Guardian story

[Fire99]

What a complete load of old Tosh!!!

This is blatantly the Government realising that the rubbish they have been spouting about the main cause of accidents being speed, especially on motorways, doesnt wash with a great deal of the public now so they are having to find a new reason to enforce speed limits and continue the cash generation they gain from them.

Its a disgrace that all the government wants to do is continually extract more and more cash out of us by restricting our liberty and using issues close to peoples hearts to justify it!

Its a Joke!